The Worlding of Arabic Literature: Language, Affect, and the Ethics of Translatability

Translating Arabic literature into English is a complex process that requires a new model of translation ethics to account for its newfound readability in the hegemonic language of the world literary system. The Worlding of Arabic Literature argues that an ethical translation should transmit the literariness of the source text through embodied and sensory effects, engaging new populations of readers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: Fordham University Press

Critics have long regarded the translation of Arabic literature into English as a morally complex endeavor, navigating the vast disparities between two distinct languages, cultures, and literary traditions. However, the landscape of Arabic literature has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with an increasing number of works being translated into English. This shift has led to a renewed interest in exploring alternative models of translation ethics that can account for the newfound accessibility and readability of Arabic literature in the dominant language of the global literary system.

In his influential essay "The Worlding of Arabic Literature," Edward Said famously asserted that Arabic literature was "embargoed" from Anglophone cultural spaces. However, the reality is far from this simplistic view. Today, Arabic literature is increasingly being translated into English, reaching a broader audience and gaining recognition within the world of literature. This phenomenon raises important questions about the ethical implications of translation and the role it plays in shaping the reception and understanding of Arabic literature in the West.

The Worlding of Arabic Literature: Language, Affect, and the Ethics of Translatability, a groundbreaking book by Dr. Nader El-Bizri, delves into these ethical considerations and offers a novel perspective on the translation of Arabic literature. The book argues that an ethical translation of Arabic literature is one that transmits the literariness of the source text by engaging new populations of readers through a range of embodied and sensory effects. El-Bizri posits that translation should not be viewed as merely an exchange of semantic content but rather as a process of converting the affective forms of one language into those of another, thereby revealing previously unrecognized modalities of worldliness in the source text.

To support his argument, El-Bizri draws on a rich corpus of Arabic aesthetic and linguistic theory, as well as contemporary scholarship in affect theory, translation theory, postcolonial theory, and world literature studies. The book offers a timely and provocative investigation of how an important literary tradition enters the world literary system, exploring the complex interplay between language, affect, and the ethics of translatability.

One of the key insights of The Worlding of Arabic Literature is that translation is not just a linguistic process but also an embodied and sensory experience. El-Bizri argues that the translation of Arabic literature should aim to recreate the sensory and emotional impact of the original text, employing techniques such as sensory imagery, metaphor, and allusion to convey the rich cultural and historical context of the source text. By doing so, the translation can create a bridge between the Arabic and English languages and cultures, enabling new populations of readers to engage with and appreciate the complexities of Arabic literature.

Furthermore, the book challenges the notion that translation is solely a tool for cultural exchange or dissemination. Instead, El-Bizri suggests that translation can also be a means of resistance and subversion, particularly in contexts where Arabic literature is marginalized or suppressed. By translating Arabic literature into English, translators can challenge dominant narratives and power structures, promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the world.

In conclusion, The Worlding of Arabic Literature: Language, Affect, and the Ethics of Translatability is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the translation of Arabic literature. By emphasizing the embodied and sensory aspects of translation, the book challenges traditional models of translation ethics and proposes a new approach that aims to transmit the literariness of the source text while engaging new populations of readers. Through its interdisciplinary approach, the book contributes to the ongoing dialogue between Arabic literature, translation theory, and other fields, promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531503215